Obituaries

Patricia Ann Johnston Bossier, 76, of Logansport, Louisiana entered into eternal rest on January 24, 2021 in Shreveport, Louisiana. A private family service will be scheduled at a later date.

Patricia was born on December 02, 1944 in Orange, Texas to Earl and Annie Spurlock Hutto.

Patricia worked for many different companies such as N. J. Caraway’s and Smith Furniture, both in Logansport, before her employment and retirement from Tyson Foods.

She loved cooking for her family and friends along with Yankee Baseball and the World Series being the highlight of her year. Mother’s Day was always spent at Louisiana Down, and you might have even found her playing a slot or two… if you looked very closely.

The last few years were spent at her residence making friends with all that would come by at the Logansport Senior Apartments. She was known for her quick wit and desire to make others laugh, but above all, was her unfailing and devoted love for her family.

James Marcotte, 75, of Mansfield, Louisiana entered into eternal rest on January 28, 2021 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Visitation was held from 9:00 a.m. until time of service beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 located at Hunter Magnolia Baptist Church in Mansfield, Louisiana. Officiating the service was Bro. John Hatcher with Bro. Amador Santos assisting. Interment followed the service in the church cemetery.

James was born on May 25, 1945 in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana to Joseph and Annie Marcotte.

Preceding James in death are his parents, Joseph Paul Marcotte and Annie Roblin Marcotte; and his sisters, Audrey Dupont, Joann Marcotte, and Nina Vead.

Dencen Lee Hall, Sr, 93, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 where he was reunited with those who awaited his arrival and where he will await his loving family.

His funeral was held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 22, 2021 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Logansport with Brother Wayne Painter officiating. Interment followed at Cool Springs Cemetery in Logansport, LA. The family received friends from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at the funeral home. Pallbearers included Jack Averett, Ted Booker, James Ray Stevenson, John Stiles, Buddy Hall, Danny Hall, Ricky Cash, Terry Cash, Josh McClain, Jacob McClain, Travis Cash, Zack Cheatwood, and Kaleb McClain.

A private family visitation for Donnie Robison of Stanley, La was held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at Rose-Neath Funereal Home Chapel in Logansport, La. A public service will not be held due to the Covid-19. A graveside service followed at 3:30 p.m. at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Stanley, La with Bro. David Permenter officiating.

Donnie was born October 7, 1949 to A.W. and Doma Robison of Stanley, La. He entered into eternal rest on Friday, January 22, 2021 in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Donnie was an educator in Desoto Parish for 47 years before retiring.

Thomas Leland Bigby passed away on January 4, 2021 at the age of 77. He was born on February 10, 1943 to Carlton Lee Bigby and Alice Pete Coplen Bigby, in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Tom graduated from Mansfield High School and attended LSU. He spent his entire career in radio starting as a DJ while in high school. His first radio job was for station WLS in Chicago. He worked for stations in Los Angeles, Providence, Miami, Atlanta, Dallas and Philadelphia.

As Program Director in Philadelphia, he was a pioneer in Sports Talk Radio and helped transform Sports Radio as it is today. Tom is considered a legend in Sports Radio by his peers.

Tom married the love of his life, Phyllis Toth, in 1974.

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; daughter, Sheri Muller (Mike); son, Carl (Cindy); granddaughters, Jaclyn, Ashley, and Amanda; grandson, Nathan; and great grandchildren, Raylen, Conner and Carl.

He will be greatly missed by his loving family and friends.

Funeral services honoring the life of Chester Wayne “Cooter” Straus were held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Stanley, Louisiana. Officiating the service was Bro. Richard Tull. With Interment following in the church cemetery. A visitation was held at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Logansport, Louisiana on Friday, January 22, 2021 from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

Chester was born on June 6, 1942 in San Marcos, Texas to Willis Felder “Bill” Straus and Eula Mae “Dude” Lowery Straus. He entered into eternal rest on January 20, 2021 in Bossier City, Louisiana.

Chester had a love for fishing at Toledo Bend Lake. He enjoyed gardening and spending time with his family.

Carrol Harvey Jernigan, age 77, of Tenaha, TX passed away Saturday January 9, 2021 in Nacogdoches Texas due to Covid 19.

A private family memorial service will be held on January 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Haslam Baptist Church in Joaquin, TX due to his wishes of cremation.

Carrol retired from his job at Tipton Ford in Nacogdoches, TX of over 30 years and moved to the Logansport, LA/ Joaquin, TX area to be close to his children. Carrol spent time working and helping his children and grandchildren with multiple business ventures.

Carrol was a member of The Corrigan Masonic Lodge #1103 in Corrigan, TX, He was also a member of the First Baptist Church of Haslam in Joaquin, TX where he was active for years with the food pantry and multiple other areas in the Church.

Reverend Donald Mack Black (Bro. Mack) was born on Oct. 20th, 1952 to Donald and Edith Black in Lewisville, Arkansas. He passed away on December 14, 2020.

He was an educator in DeSoto Parish for over 35 years and upon retiring he taught at Central High School. He was really loved by his students.

He began his ministry at Southwestern Theological Seminary. He first began preaching at Harmony Baptist and then Old Bethel, both in Provencal. In 1981 he came to Pelican Baptist Church where, except for a few years at Campti Baptist, he pastored for 37 years.

His faith was ever present and he stated, “I’m going to put everything in the Lord’s hands, He’ll take care of everything.”

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Pat Waddle Black. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Ken and Debbie Black of Denton, Tx, his nephew, Chris Black, and niece, Chelsie Black Hersom and husband Micah.

Richard Doyle Graham, Jr. attended Mansfield High School, Class of 1968. He then went on to attend Louisiana Tech University where he played for the Bulldogs. Richard retired from the Louisiana Restaurant Association on September 28, 2012. He loved to travel all over Louisiana while working for the LRA. He enjoyed Friday night football games at Airline High School Football Stadium. Every year, Richard looked forward to hosting his Annual Crawfish Boil for friends and family to gather and reminisce about the good times. Richard’s favorite pastime was coaching Aaron and his friend’s for Bossier Dixie baseball. He enjoyed everything related to baseball, football and fishing especially with his two sidekicks Cozy and Jaxon. He had a smile that would light up a room and the ability to speak to anyone that he came in contact with. He was a devoted father and grandfather and his legacy will live on forever.

Thomas Bert Bateman (Tom) passed away in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on January 10, 2021. He was born in Mobile, Alabama on August 1, 1932 to Roberta Magee and Thomas McCauley Bateman

He was a United States Marine Corps combat veteran of the Korean Conflict. He graduated with a BS from Louisiana State University and a MBA from Centenary College of Louisiana. He pursued a successful banking career serving as President of the First National Bank of Mansfield and of the Britton & Koontz National Bank in Natchez, Mississippi, then retiring from a high level position with the FDIC.

He was active at Trinity Episcopal Church serving as a lay reader and usher, in the Delta Kappa Epsilon (Dekes) Alumni Association and Marine Corps League.